For over eight years, the Nigerian government has struggled to prosecute former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke due to complex extradition procedures, according to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Wahab Shittu.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Shittu highlighted the legal and administrative hurdles involved in bringing Alison-Madueke back from the United Kingdom to face trial.
“You know the extradition procedures of getting somebody who has taken flight from one country to another involve legal compliance procedures that must be satisfied before someone can be extradited to Nigeria,” Shittu explained.
“There are judicial procedures and international administrative protocols that must be complied with.
“Successive Nigerian governments, particularly this administration, are making efforts to ensure Diezani is brought back to face her trials. However, legal and extra-legal hurdles remain a significant challenge.”
Alison-Madueke, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan, has been accused of siphoning millions of dollars in public funds.
Despite numerous cases filed against her in Nigerian courts, her continued stay in the UK has hindered her prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government on Friday secured $52.88 million in recovered Galactica assets linked to Alison-Madueke from the United States.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi revealed the details during a formal asset agreement signing ceremony in Abuja.
Fagbemi announced that $50 million of the recovered funds would be allocated through the World Bank for rural electrification projects, while the remaining $2 million would be directed to the International Institute of Justice to enhance the country’s justice system and counter corruption efforts.
This latest recovery underscores Nigeria’s commitment to pursuing stolen assets, but Shittu stressed that the ultimate goal remains ensuring accountability.
“These challenges demonstrate the complexity of international justice systems,” Shittu noted, “but efforts must continue until justice is served.”
In October 2023, Fagbemi submitted a warrant of arrest and request to the Crown Prosecution Services of the United Kingdom for the urgent extradition of Alison-Madueke.
Meanwhile, in May 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission planned to join forces with the United Kingdom prosecutors as an interested party in the trial of the former petroleum minister in a UK court.